Summary

The story begins as an unnamed woman is picked up by a caravan on the side of the road. She joins a dozen other woman and begins working at a diner. She learns as much English as she can during work. She reveals that she is a Chinese immigrant. However, the other Chinese women call her an outsider. The author then gives her name: Zou Lei. After another few small paying jobs, Zou Lei is arrested on unknown charges. In prison, she learns that she has been detained under the Patriot Act, which allows the police to arrest anyone they believe is linked to terrorism.

While in prison, Zou Lei thinks back to her time as a child. This is where we learn that she is a Chinese-Muslim immigrant whose nomadic town in Afghanistan was overtaken by the Chinese. Her people’s...